BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of June 5, 2007

 

The Board met at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, and gave updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:50 a.m. until 10:10 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of May 29, 2007.

2.       Set public hearing for 11:15 AM Tuesday, June 26, 2007 to consider Resolution 2007-22 Supplemental Budget #1 for 2007 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2007 budget. 

3.       Contract with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (E07-153) to provide funding from State Homeland Security Grant Program to enhance Region IV’s preparedness against threats of domestic and foreign terrorist activities.

4.       Contract with Dept of Social and Health Services to provide funding for Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse programs.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-23 authorizing signature of agreement for reimbursement of construction funds for Countywide Traffic Safety Improvements and Local Agency Agreement Supplement #1 to provide for reimbursement of construction expenses related to Countywide Traffic Safety Improvements for the Rural County Two-Lane Roadway Program.

 

Larry Douglass, Interim Public Works Director reported on the Rock Creek Slide/Timber Removal project, Engineering projects, County Road projects, personnel, and Solid Waste.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on an upcoming Planning Commission public hearing regarding the Comprehensive Plan and Swift Subarea Plan, upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, Black Bear permit tracking, private road variances, and geotechnical report in the Maple Hill Slide area, Piper Slide area and Loop Road area.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent gave updates on administration, WSU Horizons Project, community development, 4-H, forestry, gardening and pest management, and Title III projects.

 

Nancy Ryke, Mt. Adams District Ranger and Tom Mulder, Mount St. Helens Monument District Ranger gave updates on Forest Service activities.  Discussion included the Resource Advisory Committee/Title II and Title III programs, stewardship projects, timber sales, campgrounds/recreation sites, road maintenance, trailhead camping, and Hemlock Dam.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the Wind River Site water system with representatives from the Forest Service and Economic Development Council.  Discussion included developing a municipal water system for the site that would include the Forest Service system, management of the water and septic systems, and the need to draft a statement of proposed principles setting out plan details for the water and septic systems and proposed timelines, and the need to request an extension of the water transmission line special use permit prior to June 30, 2007.  The Board advised that a statement of proposed principles would be provided to the Forest Service by June 15, 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2007 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss a private road variance request, Rock Creek Slide, project reviews, parade routes, rock ownership, and North Bonneville storage, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:55 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007 and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss the Secretary of Agriculture concurrence with the Hearing Examiner, recreation resort meeting with Gorge Commission staff, change in Planning Technician position, exempt well working group, enforcement issues, and Swift area, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007 and reconvened at 11:15 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss Rock Creek buildings and parks, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:35 p.m. until 2:25 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Director of Administrative Services to discuss the 2008 budget, external email access, North Bonneville request for Hamilton Creek funds, water and septic system principles for Wind River Site, upcoming interviews with health insurance brokers, and Howell boundary line adjustment, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2007 and reconvened at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve payroll for the period ending April 30, 2007 in the total amount of $1.066.671.08.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending June 7, 2007 in the total amount of $371,657.61.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the Wind River Site and VEBA, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A joint meeting was held with Wind River Public Development Authority (PDA) to discuss the Wind River Site.  Commissioner Pearce gave an update on federal forest funds, the current Senate proposal, implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan, and the need for the County to offset future financial loss and transition to cover basic services.  Discussion included the current status of leased facilities at the site, the County’s proposal to the Forest Service to take over and manage the water system, disbanding the PDA and turning management over to the Economic Development Council, and professional marketing of the site.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON